Make a Lush Holiday Corsage~~Your Grandma Would be Proud!

I love making these ribbon corsages! They remind me of back when one of my great aunts or grandmothers would wear this holiday "bling" on their coats!~~These corsages are delightfully over-the-top and really make a statement if worn on a jean jacket or tote. They are very easy to make and can be designed to suit any holiday or occasion. Here's how to make one...or dozens; it's up to you!

First gather some supplies:

You'll need four lengths of two different colors and/or textures of ribbon. I chose four seven inch length of 1-1/2 inch wide vintage gold and new pink grosgrain ribbons. Mix and match colors or you may chose to use one color. You'll also need four lengths of thinner ribbon (I chose gold and pink satin ribbons at 1/4 inch wide). What goes in the center of the corsage is up to you. If you can find them, aluminum light reflectors make great "trays" to hold the vintage and new bits and bobs for your corsage. Also gather flocked birds, millinery flowers,bits of tinsel, small ornaments, plastic flower beads, and anything else you can think of. It's your choice!

You'll also need needle and thread, glue (I like Scotch quick-dry adhesive because of the precision tip), scissors, a fabric scrap, iron-interfacing scrap, and a pin backing.

Here's the first step. This is easy. I promise...

Sew right sides of your ribbon together with about a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out.

Then, step two (see? I told you this is easy)...

Criss-cross the ribbons, hand sewing them together. I like to stitch them in pairs and then stitch the pairs together. Running stitches in a circle in the center of the ribbon loops make the loops stay together very well. Make sure the seams are in the center and not on the outside of the loops.

Then, on to step three...

Repeat the criss-crossing with the narrower ribbon, over lapping contrasting colors over the wider ribbon, and sew down near the center. Then take your aluminum reflector and sew it down--this puts it tighter against the ribbons than glue, but you make choose to glue the reflector down if you feel it will be secure. Instead of a reflector, you may make a "Yo-yo" of ribbon by making a running stitch along one side of a ribbon loop and gathering the ribbon until you have a circular ribbon Yo-yo.)

Now, step four, the really fun part!...

Glue, glue, glue you vintage bits and bobs down, layering millinery flowers, bits of tinsel, ornaments, a plastic flower, beads, and the bird. You may layer your items first in a small dish without gluing, of course, to get an idea of how to place them on your corsage. You'll not want to stop adding your items once you get started, and that's the hardest part, stopping. Just remember you can make another and another and...

The final step!...

Iron on a scrap of interfacing onto your fabric scrap. Cut out with decorative pinking or scalloped scissors. Sew on pin back  and make a little tag, because you are proud of your creation, I just know you are! Glue the backing down, allow it to dry completely, and then wear your creation with pride!

I love making these and am happy to offer them on etsy just in case you'd rather me do the work, which I am thrilled to do for you! Thanks for looking at my tutorial, and happy happy crafting!~~~XXOO, Beth